BALTO III: THE ISLAND OF WHITE WOLVES
by EbonyPatriot
Copyrights: Balto, Aleu, Niju, Nava, Jenna, Steele, Nikki, Kaltag, Star, Rosy, Rosy's parents, Boris, Muk, Luk, Nuk, Sumac, Yak, Aniu, Muru, Dixie, Doc, and Slyvia are copyright to universal studios.

Kemo and the title "Balto's Boat" are copyrighted to Cyberwulfe.

Amaroq, Kapu, Julie, Silver, Amy, Raw Bones, Lichen, Aaka, Wind Voice,
Uqaq; Bird Egg, Big Ears, Owl Feathers, and Storm Call are copyrighted to Jean Craighead George.

Buster, Midback, Scruffy, Left Shoulder, Mom and Jim are copyrighted to Jim Brandenburg.

Buck, White Fang, Dick, Collie, Scott and Judge Scott are copyrighted to Jack London.

Tundra and Taiga are copyrighted to R.D. Lawrence.

Joker, Night Jaws, Black Eagle, Silver Cloud, MicroWing, Bruce, Toronto, Twister, Earth Paws, Chocolate-Snow, Silver Ears, and Yellow Tail are copyrighted to EbonyPatriot. {ME!} DO NOT USE ANY OF THESE CHARACETRS without MY WRITTEN PERMISSION AND/OR GIVNG ME CREDIT. IF YOU DO, I'LL SIC MY PYSCHO SPANISH TEACHER ON YOU! WOE SHALL BE YOU!!!

The Joker and Batman, the inspiration for Joker and MicroWing, are copyright to dc comics.

The inspiration for Bruce is copyright to Albert Payson Terhune.

Voice Cast: O.K. If this were a real movie, these are whom I pictured being the actors (and actresses) doing the voices. Just to clear this up.
Balto: Kevin Bacon
Jenna: Bridget Fonda
Aleu: Lacey Chabert
Niju: Mark Hamill
Nava: David Carradine
Star: Robbie Rist
Steele: Jim Cummings
Nikki: Jack Angel
Kaltag: Danny Mann
Nuk: Joe Alaskey
Sumac: Jeff Glen Bennet
Yak: Rob Paulsen
Muru: Peter Macnicol
Boris: Bob Hoskins
Muk and Luk: Phil Collins
Aniu: Mone Walton
Kemo: JAMES EARL JONES
Joker: Mark Hamill
Tundra: Matthew Broderick
Taiga: Carrie Fisher
Night Jaws: Robin Williams
Black Eagle: Tim Allen
Silver Cloud: Robby Benson
Toronto: Harrison Ford
Twister: Jerry Orbach
Dixie & Sylvie: Sandra Searles Dickinson
Rosy's Mom: Sandra Searles Dickinson
Doc: Donald Sinden
Amaroq: TIM CURRY
Silver: Angela Lansbury
Kapu; Michael J. Fox
Zing: Jim Belushi
Raw Bones: Jason Alexander
Storm Call: Jonathan Freeman
Aaka: Moria Kelly
Julie: Annie Potts
Wind Voice: Brad Pitt
Amy: Paige O'hara
Lichen: Linda Larkin
MicroWing: Kevin Conroy.
Bruce: David Ogen Steirs
Scruffy: Dom Deluise
MOM:JODI BENSON
Buster: James Woods
Midback: Whopi Goldberg
Left Shoulder: Jeremy Irons
Buck: Tony Jay
White Fang: Kenneth Branagh
Scott: Kevin Kline
Judge Scott: Eric Christmas
Dick: Alan Young
Collie: Ellen Degeneres

*****************************************************************************************CHAPTER 1: THE CARIBOU ARE GONE ******************
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The old wolf loped along the frozen beach. His eyes were dark brown, and his eyebrows were a dark gray. The rest of him was gold-gray. Nava, ex-leader of the OceanPine pack, watched as his old pack floated away to caribou-rich land, under the new leadership of the 3/4 dog, 1/4 wolf, Aleu. The light tan wolf-dog would take his place. Balto, the father of Aleu, trotted up to him. Nava read the dust-colored half wolf, half malamute's thoughts. "She will be a great leader," he said. "And now," he added. "It is time for you to go home."
"But what about you? You're alone now. Where will you go?" wondered Balto aloud.
Nava looked at the sky. "I will find Niju. We are still a pack and would not be whole without each other. Goodbye, my brother." He trotted off, unsure about his task. He smiled when he overheard Balto learning about the true identity of the Raven with the blood-red eyes.
Nava followed Niju's scent. He was worried. The black-and-silver powerful wolf had, only a few minutes ago, nearly killed him. In fact, Niju's razor-sharp fangs had been only a few minutes from reaching Nava's soft throat when Aleu intervened. And yet, Nava had already completely forgiven him. After all, Niju had only done what any young rebel would to with an aging leader: tried to take over. But, would Niju be all right with Nava? Had he forgiven Nava?
Nava saw Niju, standing out on his favorite rock, in a position know as 'wind-drinking'. 'Wind-drinking' is when Niju would stretch out his neck, his head high, tail up, and just drinking in the wind. "Niju," he said, trotting up.
Niju turned. "Why, hello, Old One." His voice was so calm, so gentle, that it shocked him. It was as though Niju was a yearling again, before he started hating Nava.
"Have you decided to hang with me, you old fossil?" asked Niju affectionately.
"You seem to be in a better mood, aren't you?" commented a greatly relieved Nava.
"Of course I am," he smiled. "And why shouldn't I? I got what I wanted. I get to stay here. Sorry I attacked you and Aleu, I just wanted to stay here." Niju said softly.
"You are forgiven. Now then shall we go hunt?"
"Sure," said Niju, trotting down. "Shall we hunt elk, musk ox, deer, elk, moose, or ground squirrel?"
"WAIT!!" said Nava, stopping dead. "You knew about ALL THOSE OTHER BIG GAME?!? WHY DIDN'T YOU SAY SO? THE PACK WOULD NOT HAVE HAD TO LEAVE!"
"Calm down, dinosaur. I had forgotten about it." smiled Niju calmly.
The two had found a stray moose calf and dragged it down. They were feasting on it when the raging mothers ran up. "Murderers! DEMONS" she screamed. "You murders! Get away from my baby! My poor baby! You are cruel tyrants! It is no wonder humans put bounties on your heads, you mangy curs!" Niju snarled, his short fiery temper rising. A cur was a dog with no pedigree, a dog that would be better off being shot. No canine, whether wolf or dog, tolerates being called a cur.
"Cur? CUR?!? WE AREN'T CURS! WE ARE PUREBRED TIMBER WOLVES!" snarled Niju, preparing to pounce.
"Niju," whispered Nava. "We should leave. A moose's hooves can crush our skulls. That is the way it has always been.
"Oh, Golden Oldie," sighed Niju. "This is the new way. And no cow will drive us away from our food. We are wolves! We take what we need!" cried Niju.
Nava glared: "Don't you dare break into song again!"
"The old fossil is right, cur. You should leave, or I will crush both of your skulls!" She reared, ready to strike.
Wise Nava prepared to move. "HEY!" cried Niju. "ONLY I CAN GET AWAY WITH CALLING HIM OLD! YOU ARE IN FOR IT NOW, COW!" He leapt, grabbing her nose with his teeth. He leapt down ready to attack again. The cow stood, stunned. Blood ran from dozens of fang marks on her nose, confused. No sane wolf lunges at a bayed ungulates.
"YOU ARE A DEVIL!!!" she cried, turned and ran.
"Good job, Niju. But you could have been killed!" said Nava, as they settled down to continue eating.
"Hey" smiled Niju. "What are friends for?"
************************************************************************
A year passed. Nava taught Niju all the tricks he knew. While Niju never did, and never would, become spiritual like Nava or Aleu, he did learn the most important lesson a wolf leader could learn. That a wolf leader makes sacrifices, and not just for his pack, for the community, to keep the grand design in order.

*****************************************************************************************CHAPTER 2: THE CARIBOU ARE BACK*******************
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Meanwhile, across the Canadian country, Aleu was talking to two wolves. It was late September. Aleu had lead the pack for almost a full year now. The pack consisted of chocolate-and-snow wolves, yellows, browns, silvers, the dark grey of Yak, and one black-and-silver wolf. There was also a chocolate-and-snow wolf with a silver blaze on his chest. Aleu remembered how, many months ago, she had pondered who these two were. She especially wondered about the wolf who looked so much like Niju. So she had asked the Trio (all males) who used to worship him. There was a small yellow wolf with notched ears named Sumac, the big dark brown-and-grey Nuk, and the dark grey Yak. "Hey, Yak," she had said. "Who are those two wolves, the black-and-silver one and the chocolate-and-snow wolf with the silver blaze?"
"I'm not sure. Do you who they are, Sumac?"
"It's beating me, Yak. What do you think, Nuk? Huh? Huh?"
"I don't think," came the reply from Nuk. "I just eat. It's more filling."
Aleu sighed.
"Actually, I know who they are," said the black-and-silver wolf from behind. "I'm Toronto, and this is my twin, Twister. We are Niju's brothers. We all came from the same litter."
And so now, Aleu sat, chatting with Twister and Toronto.
"It's weird," Aleu was saying. "Whenever I think of Niju, instead of being mad or scared, my heart beats wildly, my stomach churns, my legs feel weak, and I'm happy. What does that mean?"
"Weeellllll, I'm no expert," said Toronto. "But it sounds to me like you love him."
"That's what I thought," sighed Aleu.
"Well, you are that age and the Alpha, you should be wanting a mate. Just as long as it's not me!" said Twister.
"Or me!" chimed in Toronto.
"But it's foolish. Now I am certain I am in love. But, he tried to kill me!" She sighed. "He will never love me." She got up. "Let's hunt."
"O.K." Twister agreed.
She howled, calling the pack to her. "Arrrrwwhhhhooo!" The native Arctic white wolves howled. Aleu listened. The pack was seven strong. Two had no-name voices. But the other five were strong and clear. There was the Alpha male Buster; his mate, Mom; the Alpha Female, the single Midback; Left Shoulder, the largest male and the Beta; and Scruffy, the Omega.
Buster was saying: "We're in the hunting business, too. So if you could just stay away from the North, everyone's happy." Aleu obeyed, for the white wolves were very kind to allow them to trespass on their territory, and not fight them.
"There are the caribou!" cried Twister.
The pack ran, Aleu in the lead. This kill, she thought, will be successful; for 9 out of 10 hunts end without food. SNAP! A rusty bear-jaw trap overlooked when all of the traps were pulled, closed on Aleu's paw. She howled a wavering distress call. The Pack gathered around her.
"Aleu!" they cried.
"Hey!" barked Toronto.
Everyone's eyes turned on the caribou. "THEY'RE RETURNING TO THE OLD PACK LAND!" he cried.
"You must follow the caribou," gasped Aleu.
"But what about you?" they cried.
"Never mind me, Toronto, you and Twister lead them."
"But."
"YOU MUST FOLLOW THE CARIBOU!" she yelled. The shock from being captured began to over take her. She opened her eyes. The pack and the caribou were gone. She could barely make out the white form of Mom coming towards her with something in her mouth. Then everything went black.
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Niju and Nava were resting on a rock a few weeks later. Nava noticed how Niju was staring wistfully across the horizon. Sadness was in his eyes. "What is wrong?" asked Nava.
"Nothing," he said.
"Yes, and I think it has to do with someone you love."
"Well..." sighed Niju. He stared at Nava. "You're not going to stop nagging me until I tell you?"
"Yes."
"Then," he sighed. "It's that, I loved Aleu. It's stupid I know, but I do. But, I tried to kill her! She'll never love me. What's that?" Niju said suddenly, his ears perking.
"It sounds like.." said Nava. "Caribou!"
A wave of caribou ran past the rock. The surge was so powerful they could not get down. They would have to wait until the wave stopped. Niju stood to the end of the small cliff, his tail out, in the exact position that, a year ago, Nava had stood in. "'My Brothers and Sisters, our summer is almost past. And I have listened to the trees, and the blades of grass. And they have said this: the caribou will not return this year. Nor any other year. For they have crossed the Great Water.'"
Nava smiled. "There you go, Niju. That is why you should never forget the old ways. For I did. The caribou had stayed for so many years, I had forgotten that they are wanders. What an old fool I am."
"Who's more foolish?" smiled Niju. "The fool or the fool who follows him?" He stopped and stared. "Boy, that was weird. I've never heard those words in my life!"
For two days, Nava and Niju were stranded on the rock in the sea of caribou. Finally, the tidal wave stopped. The two climbed down.
"Ahhw-wwwwoooo!!" howled the pack.
"The pack is back!" cried Nava joyfully.
"AND THAT MEANS ALEU IS BACK!!!!" cheered Niju. Nava looked at him, smiling.
"And Earth Paws, and Silver Ears, and Chocolate-Snow, and Yellow Tail, and Toronto, and Twister" continued Niju in a much softer voice. Nava's grin grew even bigger.
"Hey Toronto, Twister, missed ya!" cried Niju, running over to his brothers.
"And we missed you!"
"Where did you go?"
"A place waaayy up in the Arctic Circle called Ellesmere Island."
"And where," asked Niju, looking around at the happily chatting pack. "Is Aleu?" The whole pack hushed.
Twister finally spoke. "She was caught in a bear-jaw trap. The Caribou were leaving. She told us to follow them. Niju, you have to be the new leader."
Niju was silent for a few seconds. "I have to go save her! Twister, Toronto, take care of the pack!"
"Hold on, Niju, you need a small travel pack. I'll go," said Nava. Niju stopped.
"How many do we need? Besides us, obvisously."
"A white wolf, because we'll run into white Arctics. And a wolf-dog, in case we run into people."
"Then" sighed Niju. "We have to go to Nome to get Balto."
*************************************************************************************************CHAPTER 3: NOME*****************************
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Balto, Steele, Star, Kaltag and Nikki were walking down the street. Steele, the Alaskan Malamute, had previously been Balto's chief tormentor. A big shot, when Balto had brought back the medicine, Steele had been in the boiler room and the other dogs, disgusted at his lies, left. The door, when one of the Eskimo huskies shut it, had locked. So for a week, Steele had been locked in the hot room. He had lived, and became truly sorry for his meanness. For, just as no dog, (or animal for that matter, except for man) is evil, so Steele was not really evil. He was just a braggart who always needed to be on top.
When he got out, the first thing he did was to apologize to Balto. Balto, thanks to his wolf blood, forgave him. And now they were best friends. Steele was still a braggart, but, hey, everyone liked him again.
Star and Kaltag were Siberian huskies. Kaltag was a tan colored dog, with black-tipped ears and a brown patch over his left eye. He was a friendly dog, and could give a list of adjectives to describe whatever situation.
Star, a smaller gray husky with blue eyes and white legs and underside, was timid and would always receive a whack on the head from Kaltag whenever he summed up his descriptions with a shorter phrase.
Nikki was a dark brown chow-chow, a rare sled bred, and black-tipped ears. He was gruffer, but essentially good and had a New York accent.
"So Balto," Steele was saying. "Aleu was attacked by a big black wolf while trying to save on old one?"
"Yes, Steele," Balto replied in his soft voice. "And this wolf, Niju, looked a lot like you!"
"Well then," said Steele, his head high. "He must have been a handsome devil!" Everyone laughed.
"Balto, there," said Nikki. "So now she's leading the rest of the pack all over Alaska and Canada, there?"
"Yes."
"She is the boldest, the most courageous, the most intrepid." said Kaltag.
"She's brave!" summed Star. "Ohff!" he cried as Kaltag's heavy paw flew onto his head.
"Hello, Balto," said the soft, gentle voice Balto loved. Jenna, the graceful rust-and-cream Siberian husky, trotted up, followed by Dixie and Sylvie.
"Balto" sighed Steele, remembering the days when he had so wanted for Jenna to be his, before she was won by Balto. "What a lucky half-breed you are."
"But Steele," said Balto. "Even you had won Jenna, and you two had pups, since you are a purebred Malamute and she's a Siberian husky, your pups would have been half-breeds."
Steele stopped for a moment. "You're right!"
Dixie walked up. She was a purplish Lhaso Apso, small but she could be fierce. A short time after Balto returned, she had hated Steele. But since Balto, the hero dog, forgave him, so did she. And now she had resumed loving him and madly wanted the biggest, strongest dog in Nome to be hers. "Hello, Steele," she cooed. Steele shied behind Balto.
Sylvie came up. She was a white-and-brown Afghan hound, the gossip center of Nome. "So Balto," she said. 'The word on the grapevine is that Aleu ran off with some male wolf. And now you're a grandpa. Is that true?"
"Well, partly," said Balto. He was the only dog that tolerated being the center of Nome's gossip. And Aleu's tale was still the buzz about Nome. "You see, Aleu is leading the wolves, but she didn't run off with some male. And I don't think she has a mate yet, so no grand pups."
"Awwww-woooo!" a howl echoed.
"Is that Aleu's boyfriend?" snickered Sylvie.
"No. It sounds like Niju," answered Balto.
"How can you tell?" scoffed Dixie.
"No two wolves have the same howl."
Niju appeared. His greenish-blue eyes were fearful. Balto knew Niju, fiery as he was, feared humans. "Balto, I need you and your mate," he whispered. "And your pack," Niju added.
"Pack?" questioned Kaltag.
"He means us, you twit!" said Steele quickly running to Niju, grateful to be away from Dixie.
"Right. To your Boat." Niju started, and then stopped, staring at Dixie and Sylvie. "I would prefer it if the she-dogs stayed. They are not needed. It," he said, looking at Balto. "Is about your daughter."
"Dixie, Sylvie, please stay here." pleaded Jenna. Still the dogs followed.
Niju stepped forward, his eyes shining mischief.
"Unless of course," he said to the two. "One of you want to be my mate. Come on, give me a kiss." The two's eyes widened. Dixie and Sylvie took off.
"I," smiled Niju. "Am such a good actor! Of course, if they had said 'yes' I would be in biiii-iiigggg trouble!
"Come on." They loped off.
Boris, the cream Russian snow goose with the black-tipped wings, was talking with Nava on the boat. Balto's Boat was an old schooner that had been abandon many years ago. "Steele, Kaltag, Star, Jenna, this black wolf is Niju. This golden one is Nava, the wolf shaman. Nava, Niju, this is Steele, Kaltag, Star and my mate, Jenna."
"Pleased to meet you."
"Oy, in all my life." scoffed the old goose. "I have never seen so many canines in all my life! And this isn't all."
"All?" asked Balto.
"Yes, there's a white one and he's off romping those mogshoogla bears."
Nava said, "Balto, the Caribou and the Pack have returned."
"Now, Mr. Golden Retriever, say it!" grinned Niju. "Who was right and who was wrong?"
Nava sighed. "Niju was right and I was wrong."
"That's right!"
"And Balto," said Nava. "Your daughter has not come back. She is trapped, on the Ellesmere Island. It is an Island of White Wolves. Niju suggested organizing a search pack. You see, he is in love with your daughter." Jenna's jaw flew open. "We have myself, Niju, and."
"ME!" shouted a deep voice that sounded like wild thunder over the mountains. A large white wolf jumped on Boris.
"KEMO! YOU CRAZED OVERGROWN ARCTIC FOX! GET OFF OF ME!"
"Ahh, Boris, you old grouch. You need to be more fun!" He leapt off.
"Hello, Balto," he said. He was big, his ears ended in black tips. His irises were pure gold. The 'whites' of his eyes were black and slated. A stormy gray oval patch encircled each eye. His claws were stormy gray, and faint black 'teardrops' ran from his eyes down his muzzle to the black nose. The rest of him was pure snow.
He was three years Balto's senior. They were half-brothers. Kemo's father had been a wolf. When he was killed by a bear, Aniu, his mother, had mated with a new mate, an Alaskan Malamute and had Balto. Kemo was the wolf who saved his life when he had fallen running the Iditarod.
"So Balto," asked Kemo. "Are you coming?"
"Yes."
"I should come too," said Jenna.
"No. Remember what happened last time? You need to stay here with Rosy. Steele you take my place on the team."
"Oh, be careful!" cried Jenna.
"I will. Goodbye, my love," he said. A chorus of "good-byes" and "good lucks" came from sled dogs.
"Bye, Boris. But where is Muk and Luk?"
"Those idiots balls of fluff are..ahh!" Muk and Luk, much bigger than when they had first seen Jenna, pounced.
"How was that, Kemo?" shouted Muk, the smaller cub.
"Nice landing, perfect arch, I'd say great!" smiled Kemo. For as dignified as Kemo was, he could turn it on and off like a switch.
"Oh, Uncle Boris," smiled Muk. "I love this new white Balto. Kemo rocks!"
"Kemo, the white Balto!" cried Luk. It was the first words Luk had ever spoken.
"Let's go," said Balto.
"But," said Nava. "We do not know the way."
"I will show you the way," said a, warm and mysterious voice. A large Raven with blood-red eyes landed. In a second she turned into a wolf. The wings lengthened into paws and legs. The feathers turned into fur. The beak turned into a muzzle. The tail smoothed into a brush. Ears popped up. Eyes changed color. There sat Aniu.
"Hello, my sons," she said.
"Hello, Mother," smiled Kemo. She was a bluish-white color. Her face, front 'boots', the oval around each eyes, back of the legs, underside and under-tail were pure snow. The rest were bluish-white. Her outlines were blue. Her eyes were red-gold.
"She is a spirit wolf," whispered Nava to Niju.
"Follow the Raven," she said. With that she turned back into the Raven.
"Corronk!" Aniu called.
Balto, Niju, Nava, and Kemo followed her.
**********************************************************************************************CHAPTER 4: BUCK********************************
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They made good time. They were at the border of Alaska and Canada. Of course they had had to pass packs, but they stayed in the no-wolf zone that exists between borders. That prevented most packs from attacking. And the size of Kemo and Niju prevented the more aggressive ones from attacking. "Corronk!" cried Aniu, flying above them. Kemo and Nava alone spoke Raven, so they alone knew what she was saying. "CORRONK CORRONK!"
"What's she saying, Kemo?" asked Niju.
Kemo looked up. "There is a wolf pack coming," he replied. Suddenly a huge animal appeared. He was bronze, with brown eyebrows and a white splash going down his neck.
"HALT!" he had a deep, Shakespearean voice. "Where do you think you are going?"
"We just want to pass through unharmed. We are looking for my..." Here Balto stopped. He stared deep into his yellow eyes as the stranger's scent came to him.
"Why, you're a dog! You aren't even a wolf-dog, like me!"
"Yes," chuckled the bronze dog. "My father, Elmo, was a St. Bernard. My mother, Shep, was a Scotts shepherd. My name is Buck."
"BUCK!" gasped Balto. The three pure wolves glanced at each other.
"You wouldn't happen to be the same Buck in that Jack London novel, would you?"
"The one and only," confirmed Buck in his pipe-organ voice. "He told a pretty accurate description of my answering to the Call of the Wild. Except, he presented me more of a murder and crueler than I am." Here Buck's eyes glared like fire. "I do not kill the Yeehats when they come to my part of the valley. I got rid of those who killed my master like any good dog would do, but now I have forgiven them." The angry look left his eyes. "Now then," he continued. "Before I get any further off the track, why are you trespassing on my territory?"
"We are looking for my daughter," said Balto softly. Buck's eyes, which had before been yellow diamonds, softened.
"She was with a wolf who looks like Romeo here," said Kemo.
"Yes. I saw them. Follow me."
"Go Northeast," he said a few days later. They were out of Buck's land now. "And I hope you find her," said Buck. "I have little a daughter myself."
He turned and walked back to his pack. Kemo, Balto, Nava and Niju took off after Aniu.
********************************************************************************************CHAPTER 5: WHITE FANG****************************
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"Awwwwwwoooooo!!" called a wolf-dog. They were near humans now.
Only Balto wasn't nervous about this. "Don't worry. They like wolf animals. The only thing we have to worry about is them capturing us and trying to ship us off to a circus in California, and breeding wolf-dogs," he was assuring them.
"That's something to worry about!" cried Niju.
"HEY!" called something. A pure gray wolf-dog ran up. "Who are you, you wolves? Are you rabid? Why are you near people? Are you insane...hey!" He stared at Balto. "Why you are a wolf-dog, like me!!"
"I'm Balto," he said.
"Balto! The Hero Dog!" he bowed. "I am honored to be in your presence.'
"Who are you?"
"I am White Fang. My mother, Kiche, was a wolf-dog, like you. My father, One Eye, was a wolf." White Fang smiled. "Therefore there is little dog in me and much wolf."
"White Fang!" Balto cried, glancing at his half-brother and friends.
Niju shook his head. "Oldy, Kemo, it appears we are completely ignorant in the literature of man."
"White Fang was in another Jack London novel."
"Yeah, and it was completely accurate of me. Anywho, the Master, his family, and I are up here visiting the North. Why are you up here?"
"We are trying to find my daughter. She is opposite of you. She has a lot of dog and little wolf, but she is a throwback to the wolf."
"Go figure. I am a throwback to the dog." He smiled. "Hey, how about you guys coming back and getting food from my Master. He'd love to see you."
"Well, all right," said Balto.
"BALTO! HUMANS HATE WOLVES!" cried Niju.
"Corronk!" cried the Raven. She flew towards the house.
"Aniu trusts them," observed Balto.
"Well, all right," sighed Niju.
"Hey, old boy. Got some friends?" asked Scott, White Fang's master, as he came into the camp. "Well, by Joe. If it isn't Balto the Wonder Dog! Hearing the Call of the Wild?" He stared at White Fang. "And you want me to feed them?" White Fang barked. It was only the third time in his life he had barked.
"All right, boy! Never known you to be the social bug!"
"Well, I used to be a lone wolf. But after becoming a father..." said White Fang, trying to speak not only to Balto but to his Master as well. Scott didn't understand. "Humans!" sighed White Fang to his friends. "I love him, but I wish he wouldn't be so arrogant and believe we can talk."
"Very few do," commented Balto.
Scott stopped. "But, in order to feed them, I have to be sure they are gentle with my kids."
White Fang's eyes glowed warmly.
"All right. but if they snap, out they go." They walked in. Then Judge Scott, the wolf-dog's master's father, stared at his son. "Now, I know you were right about White Fang being safe. But you can't tell me you are adopting these pure wolves!"
"The gray one is Balto and the others are his friends," he said simply. "I'm just feeding them. They'll move on."
"Humans," sighed Dick, the Scottish deer hound. He was White Fang's fellow dog. "They can never tell who to trust. Not even in their own kind!"
"Indeed," said Collie, a sheep-dog and White Fang's mate, curled up around his pups. "They wouldn't know what a wolf is really like if it bit them! If a sheep-dog, like me, can realize when a wolf is dangerous and when he isn't, why can't a human?"
"Now Collie," said Dick. "You were mean to White Fang when you first meet him." White Fang came up, nuzzled his mate and pups, and greeted Dick.
"They have a Raven with them," observed the Judge. "That is an omen of death."
"No," said Scott. "Wolves are friends with them."
Nava saw what Aniu was preparing to do in response to the Judge's rude comment. "Don't," he said. "You'll scare him." The two children, seeing the wolves settle themselves in, ran happily over to them.
"SCOTT! CALL THE CHILDREN OFF!" cried the Judge. The children tumbled onto Kemo's back. The powerful white wolf seemed once again to turn off his dignity and, rising, started romping. The little girl slid off his back and ran over to a whimpering Niju, pulling his ear. He whined.
"Get use to it, Romeo," said Kemo. The little boy was using his ears as reins.
"Once Aleu and you get married, you'll have plenty more pups crawling over you and they're worse. They bite!"
Niju stared into the little girl's eyes, and his heart melted. He let the little girl on his back, then ran around, grinning idiotically. Once they tired of him, they leapt on Nava and Balto. They played just as willingly, but old Nava was hurt. For the little boy kicked his hips, hurting him. He yelped, his eyes filling with sorrow from his old age and the lack of ability to stand the roughhousing.
"Off! Apologize!" ordered Scott to his son, who obeyed. They feasted on homemade chicken steak, fish and potatoes, a funny meal to the wolves. Even Aniu got a share. They looked wistfully over the ground.
"White Fang," said Scott. "Go ahead and lead your friends on their journey."
The wolves waged their tails in thanks and set off. "Now, go Northwest," said White Fang. "And, good luck!" The wolves trotted off.
***************************************************************************************************CHAPTER 6: AMAROQ************************
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The wolves were making good time. They had crossed the Arctic Circle, where for six months the sun never sets and for six months the sun never rises. The ground was frozen tundra. Here the wolves were smaller. They were crossing the Avalik River. "Corronk, Caw Corronk!" cried Aniu.
"I've never heard that sound before. What does it mean, Kemo?" asked Niju.
Kemo rose his head. "A wolf is coming."
"We are in the No-Wolf zone. He will not hurt us" said Balto.
"GGGGGRRRR! INTRUDERS! I'LL RIP YOU LIMB FROM LIMB!" a dark brown wolf snarled. He was rangy and hard-looking.
"And who are you?" asked Nava.
"I AM RAW BONES, ALPHA OF THIS LAND!" He charged. Raw Bones ran straight. Kemo leapt forward. His sharp teeth grabbed Raw Bones' shoulders, tossing him head-over-heels.
"The Force is strong with this one!" declared Kemo, stopping. 'Wow," he said. "That was weird. I've never heard those words before in my life!"
He shrugged his shoulders and prepared himself for a second attack. The attack never came. For a huge Alpha wolf blacker than ebony ran up. He grabbed Raw Bones by the throat and flipped him. "Odd, Raw Bones," he said. "I thought heard you say, little Omega wolf, that you were the Alpha."
"I said nothing of the sort! However those curs attacked me. If you were any Alpha, you'd get them, Kapu! Or, is treating curs something Daddy didn't get to teach you before he was shot trying to save that stupid human!"
"That's is not what I heard." A graceful rime-gray she-wolf trotted up. "You declared yourself Alpha."
"What do you know, Aaka?" snapped Raw Bones. "Of course you would side with your mate."
"Ahh, Raw Bones." grinned Aaka. "You know that as Alpha Female, I have more status than you and should bite your throat for saying that about Kapu. But, I won't"
"Kapu is Alpha, you mangy Omega. You have no right to question his authority," said a tawny wolf coming up.
"Zing is right. And how dare you mention my grandfather in that disrespectful manner!" snapped a black female.
"MAY WE TEAR HIM TO SHREDS, like your Father did to Jello when he stole Julie's food?" begged a wolf the gray color of sea ice.
"Yes! Please?" asked a dark she-wolf.
"Down Lichen!" said Kapu to the dark wolf. "Down Storm Call!" he said to the gray male.
"Before you think of what to do to Raw Bones, shouldn't you ask our guests why they are here?" asked a handsome silver-and-snow wolf with black-tipped ears.
"Right, Wind Voice," said Kapu, coming to the wolves. "I am sorry about the disturbance. Are you passing through?"
"Quite all right. Yes, we are passing through. We are trying to find my daughter."
"Ahh," said Kapu, his eyes softening. Kapu started speaking. His voice was calm and gentle. "Well, let me introduce ourselves. I am Kapu, son of the leader Amaroq and his mate Silver. Amaroq," his voice faltered. "Was shot by a gussak (white) hunter."
"And I am Aaka," said the rime-gray wolf. "I am the mate of Kapu and mother to Sweet Fur Amy."
"I," said the little black wolf. "Am Sweet fur Amy, daughter of Kapu and Aaka. And I am heir to the leader's place." Amy motioned to the one gray wolf.
"My name is Storm Call, and I love Amy and one day hope to be her mate." Kapu and Aaka smiled. Everyone else snickered.
"I'm Lichen," said the dark wolf. She had a playful, teasing voice. "I'm Storm Call's twin sister and I think he's crazy."
"Yo! My name is Wind Voice." Wind Voice lives up to his name, thought Niju. For he had a sweet, musical voice. "And I am the mate of Uqaq."
"Where is Uqaq?" asked Nava.
"She is romping with our two sons, Big Ears and Bird Egg, and our daughter, Owl Feathers."
"And I am Zing," said the tawny wolf. He had a calm, nice guy voice. "I am Kapu's twin brother and the Beta."
"And this is Raw Bones," said Kapu.
"I'm Balto. And this is Niju, Nava, and Kemo."
"And," said a gentle voice. "I'm Julie." A girl rode by on a dog team. "Hello, Kapu," she said. Balto sighed-- oh how he wished he could be in the harness. But he had to find Aleu.
"Come home to us!" called Kapu.
"Someday, someday," she answered, as she rode away.
"She speaks wolf?" gasped Balto.
"Yes," said Kapu.
"And," said Wind Voice. "Who is the Raven?"
"This is Aniu, my mother," said Kemo and Balto.
"That's their mother?" gasped Raw Bones. "Oy, was your father drunk!"
"She is a spirit wolf," said Nava.
"Indeed," said Aniu. "I am." Within a second, she turned from Raven to White Wolf.
"If wolves can come back, why hasn't my aapa, Amaroq, and my aaka, Silver, ever come back?" asked Kapu, cocking his head.
"Actually, I've just never thought of it," chuckled a British, dignified voice. Everyone jumped and turned around.
There was a huge, blacker than coal, Alpha wolf. His eyes were demon yellow, while Kapu's were pure gold. "Father?" gasped Kapu.
"In the flesh and fur." Kapu stepped up, licking his father's muzzle.
"It really is you, Amaroq!"
"And Silver, Mother!"
"Ohh, my little Kapu, how you've grown!"
"Amy, come and meet your grandparents!"
"Hi, Grandma Silver."
"Amy, you have the color of your father," Silver whispered. "But the grace of your mother."
"And who is the ice gray fella?" questioned Amaroq.
"Her boyfriend," said Storm Call softly.
"Weeeelllll...I can't wait for my great-grandpups," he grinned. He snickered. "Balto, if you want to go find your daughter..."
"How did you know I'm looking for my daughter?" gasped Balto.
"The Raven told me," smiled Amaroq, glancing at Aniu. "Anyway, my son's land." He smiled at Kapu. "Is a big land, once your out of his land, you are out of Alaska and in the Arctic. Head North, and you'll hit Ellesmere Island."
"WHAT!" cried Raw Bones. 'YOU'RE LETTING THESE INTRUDERS GET AWAY WITHOUT PUNISHMENT!?! SOME LEADER!"
"Yes," said Amaroq. "And unless you to face the fury of my son AND ME," Amaroq stared at Raw Bones. "You'll not bother them." Raw Bone's yellow eyes grew wide with fear. He whimpered.
"Good bye, my brothers, and good luck!" said Amaroq.
"Corronk!" cried Aniu as she turned back into a Raven and took off.
Niju, Kemo, Nava and Balto followed her.
********************************************************************************************CHAPTER 7: MIDBACK******************************
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"Ellesmere Island is straight ahead," said Aniu as she flew ahead. They had had to cross the sea by jumping on ice floats. It had been long, but now they were there. Their paws stood now on the hard lichens.
"STOP!" a voice ordered. The voice came from a shaggy white wolf with faint black splashes around his eyes and clumps of fur hanging from his body standing over three squirming wolf puppies. "Who are you?"
"That would depend" snapped Niju. "WHO ARE YOU?!?"
Nava nipped his shoulder.
"Why, I am only Scruffy!" His voice was timid and slightly whining. It reminded Balto of Star. "I'm the Omega wolf."
"I am looking for my daughter, Aleu. Do you know where she is?"
"Uhm, no. I'm not in the foreign affairs department. You would have to ask the Alphas, Buster and Midback. Or Buster's mate, Mom." Here Scruffy's ears went up. "In fact, here they come now."
Four white wolves ran up. The leader stood above Scruffy, and Scruffy's ears went back. The gentle-looking female ran to her pups.
"Oh, uh, hello, Buster. I was standing here when." stammered Scruffy.
A huge, pure white wolf glanced at the wolves. A patch 3-inches in diameter on his left shoulder had black fur where a musk oxen had wounded him and the fur re-grew. "Buster!" he snapped.
"Hey, what's shakin', Left Shoulder?"
Left Shoulder replied. "Strangers."
A big, beautiful white wolf with a black dorsal strip running from the middle of the back down to her tail-tip stepped up to Buster and whispered something in his ear.
"Oh, do not hurt them!" said the mother wolf.
"Ah, don't worry Mom," said Left Shoulder. "Your husband will be reasonable."
Buster stepped up. "Hiya, my name's Buster, leader of the wolves. How are ya doing?"
"Or not," sighed Left Shoulder.
"Uhh... I'm Balto and I'm looking for my.."
"Hey I only need a few seconds, and I'm a fast talker, all right? See, I got this little personal territory problem, a bit of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, if you will. And Big B, you little devil, you, may I call ya 'Big B'? You seem to be trespassing on the wrong grounds..."
"Oh, sum it up, Buster!" shouted Left Shoulder.
"What the mile-a-second-talker is trying to say is...Welcome to Ellesmere Island, the Island of White Wolves. I am Mom," said the female in a gentle voice.
"I'm Midback," said the bigger female. "I am the Alpha female, but not Buster's mate. No one wants me." Midback's head hung. She sighed. "Everyone here is either dignified, like Left Shoulder, or not dignified, like Scruffy. No one is both, like me."
"I am," said Kemo.
"Uh.. Mr. Buster, s-s-sir?" said Scruffy.
"HEAR ME OUT, YA LITTLE.. Just hear me out, all right?" said Buster, his eyes flaming.
"But, sir, Balto was going to say why he's here!" continued Scruffy.
"Well then, why didn't you say so, Big B?"
"Uhh. like I was saying, I'm Balto and this is Niju, and Kemo, and Nava, and we are looking for my daughter..."
"Aleu?" asked Mom.
"Yes, how-?"
"Midback and I have been feeding her. We could take you to her."
"All right."
"Uhh...Balto? Could, could maybe just I go?" asked a nervous Niju.
"O.K. I'll talk with Left Shoulder."
"And I with Buster," said Nava.
"HA! Good luck, Grandpa!" Left Shoulder muttered to Nava.
"Kemo..hey, Kemo, do you mind staying here? Kemo? Kemo?" asked Niju.
Kemo was talking with Midback. "Uh-oh, looks like we have two Romeos now," whispered Nava to Balto.
"How do you figure?" whispered Balto.
Now Kemo had a mate, but she was killed by hunters. His whole pack had died then. "How do you figure he's in love again?" Balto whispered.
"Looking at Midback's eyes. She wants him, she needs him, she loves him. Now look at Kemo's eyes. He wants her, he needs her, he loves her."
"You're right," agreed Balto.
************************************************************************
Niju trotted next to Mom. "So, here we are, with me as the mate and Midback as the Alpha female. She is the Alpha because she is a good leader. but it's hard on her, knowing she has no mates and when pups are born, they will never be hers," said Mom.
"Are there any humans here?" asked Niju.
"Well, no except for Jim. He's the one studying us."
"Jim?"
"Yes. He is a good man. She is just over this hill lock. Do you want me to stay here so you can pop the question in private?" Niju stared.
"HOW COULD YOU POSSIBLY KNOW I LOVE HER?!? What, do get The Enquirer up here or something?" he demanded.
Mom chuckled. "Eyes tell a lot more than you think. They are windows to the Soul."
Niju went on. His heart was thumping against his ribs. His legs felt like water. His stomach churned. "Aleu?" he asked.
"Here I am," came the reply.
There stood Aleu, her right forepaw stuck in an old rusty trap. "Niju!" she gasped. "What are you doing here?"
Niju gulped. "Uh, I came to save you." He was fully expected her to gasp, or worse, laugh. But she didn't. She just stood there, her green eyes filled with wonder. "The truth is, Aleu, I love you! I know you probably are mad at me, and hate my guts because I tried to kill you. But I hope you forgive me."
She chuckled. His heart sank. "Oh, Niju!" Her eyes were filled with love. "I love you, too! But I thought that you hated me!"
"Oh, no!"
"I forgive you. We do not judge our people. And, once you get me out this trap, I'll marry you, too. And, come May, there will be little pups." Niju grinned. His stiff. long forepaw stepped on the trap's trigger, freeing her.
"I love you," she said.
"I love you, too," he said. They nuzzled heads.
Aleu and Niju walked back, shoulder to shoulder. "Aleu!" smiled Balto, rushing to her. "I was so worried about you! And this your half-uncle, Kemo!"
"Hiya Kemo. Hiya Nava." Kemo grinned, and then frowned. His ears dropped. "Well, we better be going."
"But, I love you Kemo! I don't want you to go!" cried Midback.
"And I you," sighed Kemo.
"And why shouldn't you go?" asked Left Shoulder.
"Yeah, you won't be that hard to replace," said Buster.
"Really?"
"Really."
"Take care of yourself," said gentle Mom.
"Thanks! Goodbye, Buster, Scruffy, Mom, Left Shoulder!"
"Goodbye, and good luck!" they called.
"My granddaughter has chosen a mate. I shall lead you home," said Aniu, wolf form. Her muzzle smoothed into a beak; white fur turned to black feathers; eyes turned from red-gold to blood-red; paws turned to wings; ears sank into her head; and brush spread like a fan into bird tail. "Corronk!" she called; taking off. Her color smeared behind like a bad graphite drawing. The four wolves and two wolf-dogs followed her.
************************************************************************
They made it home safely. Kemo and Midback went to the ice valley were Kemo had always lived. Balto returned to his Boat. Nava became the pack elder.again.
Niju and Aleu became the Alpha male and female. They were good leaders. Toronto became Beta, and Twister the Zeta {third in line}. The Trio became Omegas.
************************************************************************************************CHAPTER 8: MICROWING************************
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"I hope Aleu is all right," said Jenna on a cold January day.
"Don't worry, Niju will take good care of her," said Balto. The two were standing on Balto's Boat. "I miss having pups," sighed Balto.
"Me too," sighed Jenna.
"It's just too quiet around here!"
"Do you thing we should have more?" asked Balto.
"Well, I don't know. The humans keep asking. Every time they see me they ask 'Well, old girl. When are you and Balto going to get around to having more pups?' Even my Master and Mistress say I should! But, what do you think, Balto? I certainly want more. But not if you don't."
"I want you two to have more pups!" laughed Rosy, Jenna's girl. The two ran forward, licking her face. Rosy had proven herself to be one of those rare humans who can understand canines.
"Well, what about you, Balto?"
Balto smiled. "I would love it."
"Me, too" said Rosy scratching Balto and Jenna on that patch just above the tail where dogs {and wolves} loved to be scratched. They waged their tails in joy.
************************************************************************
It was April. A full 63 days from when Jenna and Balto had mated.
The pups were due today. Balto opened his eyes. He yawned.
"Well now, Bird chick. No Raven dreams?" asked old Boris.
"Nah."
"Ahhhh....Aniu must have decided to let these pups be normal."
Balto grinned, then he got up. "I have to go check on Jenna." He walked out, passing Muk and Luk.
"I miss Kemo," sighed Luk.
"Yes, but now we will have new pups to play with!" cried Muk cheerfully.
Balto nosed open Jenna's door. "Come in Balto," said Jenna in a tired voice.
"We only have two this time," she said.
"Did the rest all die?" asked Balto urgently.
"No," smiled Jenna. "We just had only two." Balto nuzzled Jenna, then looked down. "Both are males," she said.
One was coal black. His ears rose sharply. A white mark shaped like a bird in flight was on his chest. Two white wing marks, one on both sides ran up from each paw, like the wings of Mercury. His eyes, when they opened days later and changed from their baby blue, were gold and shining.
The other was a flawless, dark tawny color, the sable color of a dark collie. His great chest, belly, underside, and paws were snow. When his eyes eventually opened, they were a dark brown.
"Congratulations!" cheered Rosy and her family.
"What should we call them?" asked Jenna.
Balto cocked his head. "Hmm, the black one kinda makes me think of a bat. What is the Latin name for the bat?"
"Micro-something. It means 'small hand wing'."
"Hmmmm...why don't we just call him MicroWing?"
"MicroWing. That's perfect!"
"And," continued Jenna. "The tawny one looks like a collie-husky. Why don't we call him Bruce, after the author Albert Payson Terhune's dog?" Balto agreed. Rosy whispered the names to her parents who smiled and nodded.
At seven days, MicroWing and Bruce were still blind and deaf. At fourteen days, their eyes open, a baby blue, but they couldn't focus them. They could hear, though. At three weeks their eyes could focus and they began to move around. Their sharp claws were trimmed to prevent them from hurting Jenna. At a month, they began to play with Muk and Luk. At six weeks, they were being weaned. It would be another two weeks before they could be separated permanently from Jenna, but they wouldn't. For, since there were only two, Rosy's parents had decided to keep them.
At first the other people were mad, but they quickly calmed down. For Bruce, and especially his brother MicroWing, were hero dogs.
************************************************************************************************CHAPTER 9: JOKER******************************
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Aleu and Niju mated in March. And now, at fives weeks pregnant, Aleu was looking very heavy. The pack was excited. It would be the first time since Niju that pups had been born into the pack. But no wolf was more excited than Niju, the proud father-to-be. And it was at this time that Niju stretched his Alpha rights to the limit.
One time, after a long hunt when the caribou had finally been dragged down, Nuk had leapt joyfully towards the food. Niju seemed to fly through the air as he grabbed Nuk's throat and forced him down. Nuk's eyes grew wide with fear. He whimpered. Niju did not relax his grip until Aleu and then Nava had eaten their fill.
"I don't get it," he whined.
"You NEVER eat until the Alphas have feed!" snapped Niju.
"But why?" whimpered Nuk as Niju trotted toward the kill.
"He just wants to make sure Aleu gets enough to eat," whispered Nava.
Four weeks later, Aleu grew very interested in dens. It was time for her to den and give birth. Nava and Niju lead Aleu to the OceanPine Pack's old den. Aleu ran inside. It was old, large, and smelled of pine and Earth and Niju and Toronto and Twister and very faintly: Aniu and Kemo. Aleu dug it deeper. When she was satisfied, she trotted out. Her emerald eyes were softer. Our puppies shall be born here is what they said to Niju.
"It is time," she said. Aleu turning to go into the den when she stopped.
"Niju, honey. Please don't come into the den," she said.
"Most mother wolves like to be alone when they are having their pups," said Nava quickly.
"O.K. I'll mount guard at the entrance," said Niju proudly.
"But," he turned to Nava, "where will you go? It would be good to have you nearby."
"Don't worry. There is a Father den right next to the Mother den." Nava went in to the Father den.
Aleu trotted into the den. Niju followed, stop near the entrance, about-faced, and laid down. Aleu walked into the heart of the den. She laid down and sighed. Now that it was time, she was a little afraid. What if she hurt her puppies? What if she was a bad mother? No, she thought. With Nava and Niju I'll be fine. She felt herself going into a trance. She grinned. Who would have thought, over a year ago, when Niju was shaking her by her throat, that she would be here, now, giving birth to his pups! Aleu felt a slight pain in her stomach. She looked up. At her tail was a squirming little wolf puppy! Her heart started to leap out of her. Aleu got up, and started licking the pup dry. She immediately cleaned the pup's muzzle first. Her warm tongue strokes stimulated its heart beat and it started moving, crying. With her sharp teeth she carefully nipped through the placenta.
It's a boy! she thought proudly. He was the white of snow, like Kemo, with a silver 2-inch strip on his nose and a silver spot on his chest. His ears and tail were black-tipped. He looked more like a little bear than a wolf. She nuzzled him to her side. He found a teat and latched on. Aleu felt another slight pain in her stomach. She glanced at her tail. There was another puppy! She licked its fur until it was dry and squirming. She nipped the placenta.
It's a boy! she proudly thought. He was the black of coal. A white diamond-shaped star was on his chest. She nuzzled him next to his white brother. Another stomach ache, and Aleu was licking another pup dry. Its legs kicked and it squirmed. She nipped through the placenta.
My first girl! thought Aleu. She nuzzled her to her side. She pushed away the black wolf, who showed no resentment at his sister's shoving, showing even then what a great temperament he would have.
Stomach ache, and then another pup. Aleu licked it dry. A boy! she thought. He was oddly colored, oil black with a pure silver head and tail, like a bald eagle. She nuzzled him with his siblings. Another ache in her stomach and she was cleaning yet another pup.
A male! she thought. He was midnight black, with silver jaws. She gently pushed with his brothers and sister.
Aleu felt a slight pain in her stomach. My last puppy is a boy! Aleu thought, for she knew she would only have six pups. He was ebony black. His spine, neck, and head was a shiny raven. His underside was a ghostly white. There was a splash of the same white coloring down each leg's inside. The white reached half-way down the upper leg. From the smooth "stop" of his forehead to his throat was the ghost-white. Black outlined his eyes and mouth. His muzzle was a faint silver.
Meanwhile, Niju was still guarding the den. A brown field mouse scampered up. "HALT!!" ordered Niju.
The mouse spoke. He had a timid voice. "I am Muru, Aleu's spirit guide. I must go in to see her."
Niju scoffed. From Aniu to Amaroq to Silver he had learned something about spirit guides.
"Listen, Rat..."
"Muru."
"Fine. Muru. If you want to see my mate, just 'poof' yourself in and then 'poof' yourself out."
"I'm serious!" cried Muru.
"So am I! 'Poof' yourself in, if you are a spirit guide. If you're just a simple field mouse, you'll have to pass by me and," here Niju snarled and bared all of his ivory fangs, "42 of my closet friends!"
"All right!" Muru turned into mist and flew into the cave.
"Now why didn't you do that in the first place and save us both some breath?!?" yelled Niju.
Inside, an exhausted Aleu was laying, resting while the pups nursed.
"You made the journey, and now look how happy you are!" Aleu's eyes snapped open. She was ready to defend her pups. But it was only a smiling Muru.
"Oh yes, Muru. Niju and I are very proud," she grinned.
"What are their names?" he asked.
"Niju and Nava and I will work on the names later."
"Ahhh." Muru looked at the pups. "Will they take after your spiritual beliefs or their Father's new ways?"
"Only time will tell."
"Aleu," called Niju. "May I come in?"
"Yes."
"I must go," said Muru. "Bye!"
"Good-bye!"
Niju's sharp claws made clicking sounds as they struck stones. His grin seemed to stretch from ear to ear. "Nava," he said. "Has gone to tell the pack."
"Very good. Then when he returns, we shall name them! Little pups, come and meet your father!" They all huddled close to their warm mother. All expect the raven one. He pulled himself to Niju's paw. He may not have been able to see or hear, but he could smell and sense heat. His father's paw was a wonder to him. It smelled half like him and his siblings. It was warm, but cold. Interesting.
He bumped up against it. He felt the furry warmth of his toes, and the smooth cold of his claws. His jaws parted in a grin. Then he lifted lips, trying to snarl a challenge. Aleu carefully shook the pups from her, rose, very gently grabbed the back of his neck and brought him back to her side. He yawned and fell asleep.
"We should name this one Joker," declared Niju.
"Joker? That name isn't heard too often," smiled Aleu. "Why should we name him Joker?"
"Joker means a person who can't take things seriously, or in a document a provision that makes it different then what it seems. He is like that. He was grinning, but he still also wanted to show how brave he was."
"Joker," laughed Aleu. "You're right, Niju. We shall call him Joker." The raven-black pup, who had thus relieved a name in the world, slept peacefully. Nava trotted down.
"Congratulations, Aleu, Niju," he said.
"Thank you."
"Now then, it is important that they receive names," continued Nava.
"Actually, the ebony one is named Joker," grinned Niju.
"Good. I like that name."
Nava trotted over looked at the first-born. "He has silver marks, and the rest of him is white like a cloud on a summer day. His name should be Silver Cloud."
"Silver Cloud. I like that," said Aleu. Niju grinned approval.
Nava turned away from Silver Cloud to the second-born. "He is pure black, save for the star. He looks like the Father and Son Tundra wolves: Amaroq and Kapu. Therefore he should be called Tundra."
"Tundra, in honor of Amaroq and Kapu's home," said Niju. Aleu nodded. Nava moved from Tundra to the little female.
"She is brown now, but after a year shall turn butter-scotch. Her underside shall be white. She looks now like fallen pine needles. Therefore she shall be called...Taiga!"
"Taiga," smiled Aleu.
"It goes with her brother Tundra," said Niju.
Nava turned to Taiga's brother, the black one with the silver head and tail.
"May I name this one?" asked Aleu.
"Shoot," said Nava.
"I think he should be called Black Eagle, in honor of the regal bald eagle."
"Perfect," said Nava and Niju.
Nava went to the pup in between Black Eagle and Joker. "He is the color of midnight, save for the silver jaws. So he should be named Night Jaws." The parents nodded.
Nava started out. "Congratulations on entry into the World, Silver Cloud, Tundra, Taiga, Black Eagle, Night Jaws and Joker. I shall tell the pack. But, how will we tell the proud grandfather and grandmother?"
"I shall tell my son," Aniu sat in the den.
"Grandmother, also tell them we will bring the pups to visit when they are 6 months old!" said Aleu.
Aniu turned into the Raven form and flew off. Niju nuzzled his mate. Aleu rubbed her head and hugged her pups with her legs. They were unaware how, 3 years ago, Jenna and Balto had sat in this exact pose.
************************************************************************
Jenna and Balto proudly watched their sons. While Bruce was the very soul of friendliness, MicroWing seemed happiest alone. Only with Bruce and his parents did he seem to be social. "I am so proud," smiled Jenna.
"Corronk! Corronk!" cried Aniu.
"Mother, why are you here?" asked Balto.
"Is Aleu all right?" asked Jenna.
"Aleu is fine. So are the pups."
"PUPS?!?" asked Jenna and Balto.
"Yes, puppies. Six of them. Silver Cloud, Tundra, Taiga, Black Eagle, Night Jaws, and Joker. Taiga is the only female. By Niju out of Aleu." Aniu nodded, than flew away.
"We are grandparents!" cried Jenna.
************************************************************************
The days passed. At 10 days their eyes opened. Unlike the dogs, they could already focus. Joker showed himself to be the most aggressive.
At two weeks, Aleu was able to take a break. The pups now had thick, warm fur. She ran out. The whole pack greeted her happily. She ran shoulder-to-shoulder with Niju.
At three weeks the pups could hear.
At four weeks, they started fighting for status. Joker quickly rose to the top. Only Taiga refused to accept his leadership.
At seven weeks, they were finally weaned.
At three months, their personality became underlined. Silver Cloud was a loner, gentle, and sweet. He was often secretive. Tundra was gentle and completely at peace with the World. Taiga was a spirited young lady. She liked liberty, although, to her parents, she was obedient. Black Eagle was like his namesake: brave, bold, free. Night Jaws was playful and good-spirited and always up for a joke.
There was only one way to describe Joker. He was a demon! He was always fighting, despite the fact that his shoulder remained about an inch shorter than his siblings. He was insane! Despite the fact that he acted like he was possessed by the Devil, he was also a joker at heart. Hence his name. His laugh drove shivers up everyone's spine. It was dripping with insanity and evil. His voice was only a little bit less insane and a little more taunting.
At six months, Joker walked out of the Den. He stretched. Thanks to the Demon within him, he felt a great urge to fight someone, anyone. Joker trotted up to his siblings, who lay sprawled on the beach, soaking in the sun.
"I am the Alpha male! Joker, king of the Wolves! Unless," his pure gold eyes glowed a demon yellow. "One of you want to challenge me!"
Tundra yawned. "So you're Alpha," he said in his gentle, calm voice. "Big whoop." He grinned. "I don't care, as long as you're a good leader."
"That's because you're too wimpy to even growl at a mouse!" snapped Joker.
Tundra smiled. "I prefer the term, 'gentle'. " Joker sighed in disgust. He couldn't fight with someone so gentle!
Joker turned in desperation to Silver Cloud. The White Lone Wolf looked up. "Now, Whitey, are you brave enough to take on me?!?"
"I don't really care if you are on top. I don't really want to be a leader."
"Awwwhh....the First-Born doesn't want on take on the runt?"
"Nope. You are just looking for trouble." He grinned. "Besides, since you are the smallest pup. I wouldn't take you on anyway."
Joker went to Black Eagle. "Surely, you aren't going to let a clown take over."
Black Eagle looked up. "Take over? Why, you've been on top since you were born!" He smiled. "Besides, you aren't a clown. You're a wolf-dog."
"Everyone's a joker!" sighed an exasperated Joker as he trotted off. He went to where Night Jaws lay.
"I know what you're going to say, and the answer is: "no."
"What?!? Are you a wolf or a weasel?"
"Neither," replied Night Jaws. "I'm a 5/8 wolf, 3/8 dog pup, same as you!"
Joker raced to Taiga. "Now tell me, are you going to define the word girl power, prissy?"
" 'Prissy'? Ohhh...you're on, Joker!" she snarled. The two prepared for action.
"No, you're not!" said Niju, running up, grabbing Joker's neck. "We are going to see your grandparents and Uncles," said Aleu, letting go of Taiga's nape.
"We are going to see a bunch of dogs?!?" cried Joker.
"Yes" snapped Niju.
"And behave yourself! No fighting!" CHAPTER 10: DEMON WOLF
Doc, the old gray-and-white-and-brown St. Bernard, sat watching the remarkable offspring of Balto and Jenna with the parents, Rosy and her family, Steele, Kaltag, Nikki and Star. MicroWing and Bruce were seven months old, but from small tasks to lifesavers the had proven themselves heroes. They had saved many human lives from rabid huskies, blizzards, grizzles, once a fire, and ice.
They had also saved huskies from needless fights, once they had saved Steele from being in a dog-fighting ring, freed huskies from bear traps, had saved helped their Father escape both dog-thieves intend on starting wolf-dog markets and research labs, and coyotes. These mini-wolves have been known to have females lure male dogs out of their homes, thinking they had found their true loves, and then devoured them. Wolves know and hate this, and kill the murderer coyotes (not all are so cruel), but they were too afraid to go near humans, and so the coyotes lived near humans, feasting on dogs, without fear. Until MicroWing and his sidekick Bruce had arrived.
"That MicroWing," said Doc. "Is a hero dog. A great animal!" he grinned. "Well...like father, like sons."
"Yeah. That Balto dere sires some good pups!" said Nikki.
"They," started Kaltag. "Are the most assistant, the most heroic, the most succor..."
"They're helpful!" cried Star, wincing as Kaltag's paw struck him.
"So, Balto," said Steele. "When are your grand pups coming, Pappy?" "Now," said Balto, pricking his ears.
"Mommy, Daddy!" said Rosy. "Aleu and her puppies are coming!"
Aleu, Niju, Nava, and the pups were outside of Nome.
Aleu was excited. Memories from her puppyhood flowed back. She grinned. She remembered when she had no purpose, when she was worthless. From cur to Alpha female and mother.... she thought. Wonder how they like me now!?! "Come on!" The wolves hung back.
"I don't like people," said Niju. "It was a rabid husky that killed my parents. That's why I don't like humans and why I used to not like dogs."
Joker's sharp ears picked this up.
"Come on!" she repeated.
They ran down to Rosy's house. Rosy ran out to meet her. "Rosy, STOP!!" cried her Mother. "Aleu ran off with a wolf! She's wild!" But Aleu had already reached the child. Aleu licked her face.
"See?!? I'm not wild!" smiled Aleu.
Joker and the pups ran to meet their uncles while all the dogs crowded around Aleu. "So.." said MicroWing. His voice always had a firmness and a craving for solitude in it. "You are my nephews. Pleased to meet you."
"Very pleased!" laughed the five other pups.
Expect Joker.
He felt a deathly hatred growing. He snarled. He did not know why he hated MicroWing, but he did. Maybe it was because he overheard how a husky killed Niju's parents. Maybe not.
"Have you ever danced with the Devil in the pale moonlight?" he asked.
His were a demon's yellow, not gold. All chatting stopped.
"No. Can't say I have" said MicroWing.
"Well...you will have now!" He struck. The black wolf-dog was thrown off balance. Though MicroWing, due to his father's indomitable spirit, was trying to fight him off, he knew it was hopeless. It was only a matter of time before Joker killed him! Bruce leapt in, trying to save his brother.
But Niju was already there. He gripped Joker's nape, pulling him off. MicroWing got up. Niju struck Joker with his eyetooth. Joker did not flinch, but his eyes did regain their cool pure gold.
Nava came up. "Jenna, will you watch the wolf pups? Their parents, Balto and I need to discuss something." They trotted down to Balto's Boat. Save for Muk and Luk practicing Kemo's pounce on Boris at the beach, there was no one else around. They all sat down.
"Aleu, Niju, and Balto, you need to know something about Joker. I suspected it all along. I hoped I was wrong, but now I know that I, unfortunately, I was right. It isn't really what the name suggests and it can be cured in time, but it is an insanity," said Nava. "You're son, Joker, is a demon wolf." He bowed his head.
Balto gasped. Niju and Aleu looked at each other. "A demon wolf," repeated Niju. Aleu and Niju's eyes grew wide with worry and fear for their son.

THE END&
AUTHOR'S NOTE: THIS IS MY VERY FIRST FANFICITON. AND ALL THOUGH IT IS TITLED "BALTO III", THIS IS NOT WHAT I THINK THE SEQUEL WILL BE ABOUT. THIS IS JUST TO SHOW THAT IT COMES AFTER BALTO II AND TELLS IT APART FROM THE OTHERS. ALSO, WONDERING ABOUT THOSE TWO WOLVES, THE COAL-BLACK TUNDRA AND THE BUTTER-SCOTCH TAIGA? WELL, THEY WERE REAL WOLVES IN THE 1970'S. THEIR STORY IS TOLD IN THE EXCELLENT BOOK BY R.D. LAWRENCE, "IN PRAISE OF WOLVES."
- EbonyPatriot

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